Electric Fence Chargers and Electric Fence Energizers

Electric fences keep your livestock safely contained and protect your property from outside wildlife, all while keeping your maintenance needs down. Between Zareba®, Fi-Shock® and Red Snap'r®, you're sure to find the perfect electric fence charger to match your livestock operation. Whether you need to fence in a small lot or a large range, zarebasystems.com has the electric charger to help you. The choice is yours: We have options for AC, DC and solar-powered electric fence energizers.

Fence Chargers: The Heart of an Electric Fencing System

Fence chargers, also known as, fence energizers, controllers, fencers or electric fence box, are the foundation of an effective electric fencing system. They provide the current that flows through fence wire similar to the way the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Many ranges of fence chargers are available from our brands: Zareba, Red Snap’R, Blitzer, Fi-Shock, Agway, and BullDozer, varying in current output and type of power source.

The type of fence charger needed for your particular fencing needs will be dependent on the following factors:

Length of fence

Number of wires

Power source available

Type of animal(s) being contained or excluded

Zareba's comparison charts are a helpful too in determining which fence charger best suits your needs.

Types of Fence Chargers

AC-Powered (Plug-in)

DC (Battery-Operated)

Solar Powered

SOLAR CHARGERS

Solar fence chargers are ideal for remote locations, once fully charged the battery can maintain a charge for up to three weeks, even in cloudy or rainy weather.

DC CHARGERS

DC-operated fence chargers are ideal for remote locations or areas without access to AC power.

AC CHARGERS

AC-operated fence chargers are the best option where you have a reliable source of 110-volt electrical power.

The class of fence charger required will depend on the source of power available at your fence's location. Certain chargers will work better in certain situations than others, therefore selecting the correct energizer with ample power output for your fence is vital to keeping animals safely contained or excluded.

AC-Powered Fence Chargers

If you have a dependable power source of 110-volt or 220-volt electrical current nearby, Zareba AC-Powered fence chargers are the most convenient option. In addition, AC-Powered chargers generally have greater energy output compared to chargers powered by other energy sources which may come in useful if you have plans of expanding your fence in the future.

All Zareba AC-Powered fence chargers come with the following standard options:

Easily-accessible terminals

Mounting options for quick connections and installation

Durable, water-resistant cabinets

Majority of models UL and CSA listed

Fence "OK" indicator light

1 to 3 year warranty depending on model. All warranties cover lightning damage

When considering which AC-Powered fence charger will work best for you, it is important to understand that there are two types of AC-Powered fence controllers. The first type, low-impedance, uses special circuitry and transformers to maintain a high energy level on the fence. Zareba offers models with rating up to 200 miles and several that are suitable for fence lines with heavy weeds and vegetation. Low-impedance chargers are ideal for long distance, multi-strand fence systems like polywire, tape, rope, and high-tensile. In addition, they are the most effective charger option for all animals, including predator exclusion.

The second type of AC-Powered fence charger is known as solid-state. These energizers are most effective in containing short-haired livestock, as well as small animals and pets, in locations where weed and vegetation pressure is light to moderate.

DC (Battery-Operated) Fence Chargers

Battery-Operated fence chargers, also referred to as DC-Powered, are used in remote locations or areas where access to AC (110-volt or 220-volt) power is unavailable. Zareba DC-Powered chargers utilize standard 12-volt, 6-volt, 4-volt, or D-cell batteries as their power source.

All Zareba battery-operated chargers include the following features:

Easily-accessible terminals

Mounting options for quick connections and installation

Durable, water-resistant cabinets

Majority of models UL and CSA listed

Fence "OK" indicator light

1 to 3 year warranty depending on model. All warranties cover lightning damage

Deep-cycle rechargeable batteries, either 6-volt or 12-volt, are recommended to power Zareba DC-Powered fence chargers. Batteries should be checked and recharged regularly to ensure best charger performance.

Note: Batteries are included with some charger models, but not all. Check product description for full details.

Similar to AC-Powered fence chargers, DC-Powered chargers are available in both low-impedance and solid-state models. Low-impedance versions are rated for distances up to 200 miles and most ideal for long distance, multi-strand fencing systems. In addition, low-impedance energizers are better capable of handling fence lines with heavy weed and vegetation infestations. Solid-state chargers are best used to control short-haired livestock, small animals like poultry, and pets in locations where light to medium vegetation is present.

Solar Fence Chargers

The solar fence charger offers another great option for electric fencing in remote locations. Zareba solar fence energizers are powered by 4-volt or 6-volt lead acid batteries. When fully charged, these batteries can sustain charges for as long as two weeks, even in overcast conditions.

Zareba's solar fence chargers are rated for a range of distances from three to 30 miles. 3-mile and 10-mile rated solar chargers feature convenient carrying handles for fast and easy moves and versatile mounting brackets for quick installation on a variety of fence post types.

Designed to be low-impedance, all solar fence chargers are ideal for long distance, multi-strand fencing systems. They are able to compensate for shorts caused by weeds touching the fence line and work for most types of animals.

We recommend having back-up gel-cell solar batteries and trickle chargers to ensure a continuous power flow is maintained on the fence line at all times.

Difference between Volts vs. Joules

The easy way to differentiate between volts and joules is to remember:

Joules are the energy used to create voltage along a fence line.

Voltage is the speed at which the current moves.

The amount of voltage and joules required for your fencing system will be reliant on the distance of the fence, number of wires, type of power source, and species of animal being controlled. Consult our comparison charts to determine your voltage and joule requirements.

Chargers by Animal

The short, safe pulse of electricity creates a psychological barrier that trains animals to avoid the fence.